Picnic Orzo Pasta Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this Picnic Orzo Pasta Salad is your perfect companion for outdoor gatherings or quick weekday lunches. Crafted with tender orzo pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sweet red bell pepper, and a sprinkle of red onion, this salad is a colorful feast for the eyes. A tangy lemon vinaigrette, infused with Dijon mustard and garlic, ties everything together, while creamy feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and fresh parsley add layers of delicious complexity. Ready in just 30 minutes, this make-ahead dish is as easy as it is flavorful. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a fuss-free crowd pleaser that won’t disappoint! Keywords: orzo pasta salad, Mediterranean recipe, picnic-friendly dish, lemon vinaigrette, easy summer salad.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Orzo pasta
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 0.25 cup Red onion
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup Kalamata olives
• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove Garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, dice the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper into small, bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the red onion and parsley. Slice the Kalamata olives into halves, if not already sliced.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, feta cheese, parsley, and Kalamata olives.

Step 4

Prepare the lemon vinaigrette by whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

Step 5

Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the pasta salad mixture. Gently toss everything together until well combined and coated with the dressing.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or lemon juice if needed.

Step 7

Transfer the salad to an airtight container if taking it on a picnic, or serve immediately. It can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(933.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1558.4

Total Fat 78.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 66.8mg	0%
Sodium 2886.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 184.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.0g	0%
Total Sugars 17.6g
Protein 40.5g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 548.3mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 1116.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.1%

Protein: 10.1%

Carbs: 45.8%